By Austin B. Tucker
08.24.08Proper 16Matt. 16:13-20Only three times in the sacred record is the word
church ever on the lips of our Lord Jesus. These three times are in our text for today and in
chapter 18 of this same gospel. He did not use the word the way we typically do. We speak of the church as a building or as a denomination. On the lips of Jesus and indeed in all the New Testament, the church is a society of believers called out of the world by Christ, gathered around his divine person and provided with his almighty power.
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The most common New Testament word for church is the word
ekklesia (pronounced
ek-clay-SEE-a). In earlier times, the Greek word described a body of citizens gathered to discuss affairs of state. It is the word the city clerk of Ephesus used to rebuke the surging mob stirred up by Demetrius, the Silversmith. They gathered in the amphitheater to riot against Paul’s preaching of the gospel. The city clerk told them their issues must be settled in a lawful assembly or
ekklesia (
Acts 19:39).
In the Greek translation of the Old Testament, it is also the word used to speak of the gathering of Israel in solemn assembly or sacred festival. The church is a gathered community. We are called
out of the world as the very word declares.
II. The Church is a Community Gathered Around the Person of Christ.Peter made his famous confession about Jesus: “You are the Christ, the son of the living God” (
Matt. 16:18). And Jesus pointedly affirmed Peter’s affirmation. “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven…and on this rock I will build my church…” (
Matt. 16:16-18). Some think Jesus meant by the rock Simon, whose nickname was “Rocky.” Others think he was talking about building on that wonderful profession of faith. I’m sure Christ was talking about building His church on Himself. Peter and others may be little building stones, but Jesus is the Rock foundation.